echegollen

I like this interpretation... When it comes to watching a mixed martial art fight, I guess it is important to understand why I am watching it. Is it to see blood and people getting KO, or to see martial artist displaying their skills...

In the STRENGTH FOR YOUTH PAMPHLET, it is written: ''Do not attend, view, or participate in anything that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in anything that presents immorality or violence as acceptable. Have the courage to walk out of a movie, change your music, or turn off a computer, television, or mobile device if what you see or hear drives away the Spirit.'' According to the pamphlet, violence is clearly something we should avoid. However, when you read the Book of Mormon, you soon realize that the book is filled with stories of wars and extreme violence. This brings me to the following question: Is there a type of violence that is ''acceptable''? For example, I love watching mixed martial arts events such as the UFC. It could be considered ''controlled violence'' since both fighters are consenting to fight and they have to obey a set of rules. Also, they almost never fight out of anger since a true fighter knows it might impede his judgement. Do you think this would be an example of an ''acceptable violence''?

Then what happened for those who were born before Christ? How were they succored according to the flesh??? My hypothesis is that they might be referring to the judgement day...

In Alma 7:12, we read the following: And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. I am a little confused with the last part of this verse. What happened to those people who lived before the Atonement. How did the Lord know according to the flesh how to succor them since he had not come on earth yet?

RipplecutBuddha, I did not say MMA is against LDS standards. I am a very big fan of MMA myself. I was just curious to know what other members thought about it. However, I still believe it is impossible to be a fan of something without promoting it. Like I said, you don't have to buy anything to promote something. Wheather you increase the viewer rate or not when you watch an MMA event on TV, is not that relevant. You are STILL promoting MMA in different ways by being a fan. Like I said, when there is a conversation about MMA, you will obvioulsy jump in and share your views if you are a fan. The fact of talking positively about something increases the popularity of it. Now if you are telling me that you never talk about MMA with anybody, I don't know what you are, but you are not a fan of MMA. LoudMouth, from what I understand, you don't talk about MMA to anybody, you never attended any MMA event, you almost never watch MMA event on the TV...why do you call yourself a fan? Like it or not, being a "fan" of MMA increases its popularity.

Apart from a few posts on this forum, I don't usually discuss any sport with anyone. That is funny. So you are telling me that if during a conversation someone would ask you something like "what did you think of yesterday's last fight?", you would just keep your mouth shut? Stop lying to yourself. By the way, trust me, when you tune it to a certain channel, it will increase the viewer rates of this channel.

Loudmouth, You think because you never paid anyone a dime to anyone you are not supporting something? When you watch a certain sport on TV or read coverage online, you are supporting the sport. It doesn't have to be pay-per-view. The more people watch a particular program on TV, the more you'll see it on TV. If nobody ever watched Monday night football, do you think they would still broadcast it on the TV? When you talk about it with other fans, you also contribute to the increase popularity of the sport. If a fan could never talk to another fan, he would probably not stay a fan for too long. Fan boost each other, just like members of the church strengthen each other. You influence those around you, family & friends. If you watch a certain sport, chances are that they will follow your example, thus creating more fans. You really don't have to give money away to support something. By watching it, doing it, talking positively about it, you are defenitely supporting it.

I really think it is too bad that this thread has stopped! This is definitely a good debat considering the fact that MMA is the fastest growing sport in America. Thus this importance to know the position we should take as LDS in regards to MMA. I have read some very good arguments from both sides (pro mma vs against mma). I am a huge MMA fan myself. I do believe that MMA teaches self-discipline, hard work, dedication, high skills, self-defense and is very good to stay in shape. I wish the church had a clearer position on that sport just like for poker. We all know that modern day prophets have warned us against gambling. But it is not as clear for MMA. Here is a quote from the Strength of the Youth Pamphlet: Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable. ... Depictions of violence often glamorize vicious behavior. They offend the Spirit and make you less able to respond to others in a sensitive, caring way. They contradict the Savior’s message of love for one another. Violence seems to be the key word here. But what really is the meaning of violence exactly? Here is a definition I have found on the net (there are many more): 1. Behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something. When someone is competing in MMA, do you think his "intent" is to HURT, DAMAGE, or KILL? I believe the majority doesn't want to KILL. Do they want to HURT/DAMAGE the opponent? They will obviously look for the KO, but they don't necessarily want to injure the opponent. Again, it depends who is the fighter. I know that the famous MMA fighter "Georges Rush St-Pierre" said that before each fights, he prays God so that nobody gets serious injury... When you read the book of Mormon, I think everybody agrees that there is a lot of violence in it. However, according to Joseph Smith, this book will brings us closer to God that any other book. Thus, because something has some violence in, it doesn't necessarily make it bad...

Thanks! Very good link...

I think it is impossible to be a fan of a sport without supporting it. If you are a fan, you will obviously watch the sport. If you watch the sport, you boost the viewer number. If you boost the viewer number, the sport will make more profit. If the sport makes more profit, it will keep expending. If this is not supporting a sport, I wonder what it is.

I love training different kind of martial arts. I did compete in wrestling. However, when it comes to competing in "boxing or MMA", I question myself if I should do it being a member of the church. When you think about it, the ulimate goal, is to KO your opponent. A knock out is by definition a "concussion". Is it morally acceptable to try to KO someone?